Multiple phased stage curtain



1950 s. LEVE MULTIPLE PHASED STAGE CURTAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 Filed June 29, 1946 FIG. 1'

FIG. 2

mm ML Wu m Aug. 1, 1950' IN V EN TOR. SAMUEL LEVE ATTORNEY 'effect.

Patented Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED MULTIPLE PHASED STAGE CURTAIN Samuel Leve, Manhattan, N. Y.

Application June 29, 1946, Serial No. 680,487 r This invention relates to improvements in a stage curtain.

Broadly, it is an object of my invention to provide a stage curtain comprising one or more units which can be raised or lowered either separately or in combination to create a variety of angular positions and openings with relation to the stage.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide a stage curtain which consists of a series of strands of similar or varied characteristics so that the actors. and actresses may part the strands in order to come forward or retreat upon the stage without the necessity of raising or lowering the unitsof the curtain.

A further object of my invention is to create a stage curtain consisting of one or more units so that such units can be placed one in front of the other, such units being pivotally attached whereby they may be pivotally raised or lowered to create a variety or multiplicity of angles with relation to the stage in a third-dimensional Still a further object of my invention is to create a stage curtain which may be so positioned in different angles so that interesting and unique lighting effects may be obtained by placing differently colored lights which are located in front, at the side, and at the rear of said units. A further object of my invention is to create a curtain or curtains which may consist of different types of strands such as chainett'e-rope, different varieties of beads on strands, balls, dried fruits, plastic units, woods, metal, or other like or equivalent materials strung upon strands in order to provide different varieties of strands depending upon the type of a background and the type of show in which such curtain is used.

A further object of my invention is to provide a curtain or curtains wherein a series of strands, either uniform or varied, is attached to a hori zontal pivoted member so that such strands hang in vertical position no matter at what angle the horizontal member or batten is positioned. Since the strands are all of uniform length in its preferred form, when the batten is raised or pivoted in angular position the bottom line or ends of the strands will create an oblique line in relation to the stage and parallel to the batten. In the event that the length of strands is varied, for example to provide a serpentine effect, the strands may, if preferred, be made longer so that when the batten is in horizontal position the ends of the strands will rest upon the stage; however, when the batten is pivotally raised, the bet- 2 Claims. (01. 160-125) tom of the strands of the units will give a serpentine line angularly to the stage.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my invention, reference is had to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a stage curtain with the units pivotally raised to an angle with relation to the stage floor, the dotted lines showing the maximum angular position to which the units may be raised.

Figure 2 is a top view of the curtain shown in its preferred relation to the stage.

Figure 3 is a front elevation showing the stage curtain in closed position clearly showing the ropes and the relation to the rigging.

Figure l. is an observers view from the audience; however, in describing the right and left units I will refer to the units from the actor's point of view as though the actor was on the stage facing the audience. In other words, where the unit L is positioned on the right side of the drawing, it is actually called stage-left and vice versa.

In the drawings I have pictured two vertical units which I call a curtain. The stage-right unit consists of a series of strands R which are attached at the upper ends of the strands to a batten R which is pivoted at R and has a weight at one end R and a vertical member R and a series of guy lines R R R R and R the said guy lines R R R R", and R are attached to the batten at different points and run over the top end of the vertical member R and run into the line B which is fastened at the end thereof to the short extremity of the batten R The guy lines R R R R and R crossing over the vertical member R. create a truss and help support the batten R I have described the guy line structure to show an inexpensive and preferred method of creating such a truss. However, I do not want to be confined to the type of truss just described, since other types of known trusses can be used with my curtain.

The weight R is made sufliciently heavy to counterbalance the weight of the batten beyond the pivot point R and the strands attached to the batten, including the weight of the guy lines R R R and R Pivots R and L are stationary pivots passing through battens R and L and are attached to a portal in the setting or a permanent portal which is part of the stage.

An endless line R is attached to the stage-left end of batten R at point B passes through headblock l3, then horizontally across through headinner proscenium opening. 'dicates the theatre proscenium opening.

block [5, then downward through locking device R then through sheave R which i attached to spring R which in turn is attached to the stage floor 26; the line H (now called R then returns upwardly and passes through sheave 25 and then is attached to the end of batten R at point R The ends of batten R and L act as stop cleats which drop on cushioned stoppers at the pivot points L and R In order to raise the unit R to an angular position as shown in Fig. l, a stage hand pulls the line R downward until the angle of the batten and the bottom line of the strands of unit R reaches the desired angle whichmay be indicated on the line B by a marker, and is then locked by well known looking devices so that the unit remains in that position until released or varied.

On the other hand, if it is desired to lower the unit R, the stage hand releases the locking device R and pulls the line R downward to the proper position and locks the said line in the locking device R The stage-left unit L (shown on'the right side of the drawing) operates in the identical man- 'ner as heretofore described for the stage-right unit R. The guy lines L L L L and L are the identical lines as described by the 'R numbers for the stage-right unit. Similarly, the endless line L and L operates in identically the same manner as hereinbeiore described for the endless line B and R but use head-blocks l2 and M, sheaves 2d and L and'spring L and locking device L By having both endless lines R R and L L drawn to one side of the stage, shown as stage left on the drawings, a stage hand can operate both the stage-left and stage-right units, either individually or simultaneously by pulling on the endless line L and R in combination, or L and R in combination.

The arcs R and L indicate the movements of the battens L and R The dotted lines indicate one unit in its maximum upward position. It can be readily seen that both units may be raised or lowered to positions approximately 89 or less.

I have also indicated a dotted line 22 as the The numeral in- It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the arrangement of parts without departing from the general spirit of my comprising two pivoted counter-weighted battens in parallel relation to one another and completely crossing one another, said battens having a long portion and a short portiomsaid short balancing said long portions and said strands,

said strandsrassiuming a position at right angles to the floor of said stage at any angular position of said battens, endless lines for raising and lowering said'long portions of said battens above said pivot, said lines attached to the end of said 'battens can pivot, and means for changing'the position of said battens associated with eachof said endless lines, said means being above the floor of said stage and within reach of aperson for locking said endless lines to position said battens.

2. The device in'accordance with claim 1. in-

cluding a short member at right angles to each said batten over said pivot and a truss 'for said battens comprising guy lines attached at different points along-the-upper part of said long'portions of each of said battens, saidguy lines running over the top of said short member and attached-to a short guy line running from the top of said short member to the extremity of said short-portion of each of said battens.

SAMUEL LEVE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in-the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 510,590 Dreyfus Dec. 12 1893 534,828 'Hensel he"-.- Feb. 26, 1895 1,057,491 Morrison Apr. 1, 19153 1,398,001 Bartholomew Nov. 22, 1921 1,408,008 Knee Feb. 28,, 1922 1,495,821 Tull May 27, 1924 1,976,093 Raymond Oct. 9, 1934 2,375,457 Woodward May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 184,777 Germany 1907 454,646 France Muss--- 1913 

